What a wonderful ocean sailing adventure Kate had aboard the Valiant 42 "Gypsy" with the new owners, our friends and clients Matt and Karen and added crew member and old friend Tom. The 2011 Caribbean 1500 left Norfolk on November 11th after a lingering LO that threatened the safe passage of about 67 vessels bound for Tortola. Behind the LO, a high pressure system stalled over us as we sailed gently on a close reach making ALL our Easting. Our friends tracking us thought we were headed for Bermuda or the Azores! We reached Longitude 67 with only five engine hours and finally had to turn it on to get south. Finally, the predicted North East wind came up and changed the scene. With 25-35 knots, squalls, and pretty big waves we flew! We saw 11.2 knots and sailed at about 7.5 to 8 knots for three days! You really appreciate a good ocean going boat. The Valiant 42 Gypsy, pretty much sailed herself with a double reef and staysail with the Monitor windvane steering system effortlessly steering her through the waves. There is absolutely nothing like a great ocean sail aboard a wonderful safe and strong boat! It was magic.